(Phoenix sylvestris L.) in India

American Journal of Biology and Life Sciences
2015; 3(3): 80-84
Published online May 30, 2015 (http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ajbls)
A New Record of Multi-Branching in Date Palm
(Phoenix sylvestris L.) in India
Pawan Kumar Bharti1, 2
1
2
Society for Environment, Health, Awareness of nutrition & Toxicology (SEHAT-India), Sohanganj, Near Clock Tower, Delhi, India
Antarctica Laboratory, R&D Division, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi, India
Email address
gurupawanbharti@gmail.com
To cite this article
Pawan Kumar Bharti. A New Record of Multi-Branching in Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris L.) in India. American Journal of Biology and Life
Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2015, pp. 80-84.
Abstract
Usually, date palm doesn’t show branching phenomenon in trunk. Even the healthy plant can become dead after cutting its
stem. But sometimes, branching can be observed in date palm tree. This article is an evidence of branching in date palm in
India. A date palm is observed with seven branches on its crown segment. This is indeed first time observed event and
unrecorded phenomenon of multi-branching in date palm (Phoenix sylvestris L.) in Indian circumstances. Author wants to
report this record in some appropriate and suitable periodicals as one of his small discoveries.
Keywords
Date Palm, Indian Circumstances, Branching Event, First Record
Phoenix dactylifera and P. sylvestris (Munier, 1973).
1. Introduction
In Indian agricultural panorama, palms grow on field
edges; individuals or clusters are occasionally present,
sometimes close to the houses. They form hedges, together
with shrubs such as acacias, Calotropis procera and henna
(Newton et al., 2013). Whether wild or cultivated, this palm
is used for other purposes as well. The fruit is sweet and
edible, although the seed is large compared to the amount of
flesh. It is used both as food and as fodder for domestic
animals. The stem is widely used as building material –
beams in houses and half-pipes to conduct water – and the
leaves for matting and basketry. The palm is also planted as
an ornamental along roadsides and in gardens. Additionally,
many parts of the plant are used for their medicinal properties
(Newton et al., 2013).
Date palm is the tallest of the Phoenix species and the nonbranching trunk can grow, under some conditions, taller than
30 M. the plant has one terminal shoot apex that ensures the
growth lengthwise (Jain et al., 2011). Belonging to the
Angiosperms-Monocotyledones, Palmaceae is a family of
about 200 genera and 1500 species (Dowson, 1982). Phoenix
(Coryphoideae Phoeniceae) is one of the genera, which
contains more than a dozen species, all native to the tropical
or subtropical regions of Africa or Southern Asia, including
2. Phoenix dactylifera L. and P.
sylvestris L.
The distinction between P. sylvestris and P. dactylifera was
not always clear. Phoenix dactylifera L. is a palm in the
genus Phoenix, cultivated for edible sweet fruits in Arabian
and Asian countries and frequently grows in wasteland and
roadside in India. It’s probably originated from lands around
Iraq. Phoenix dactylifera grows 70–75 feet in height,
growing singly or forming a clump with several stems from a
single root system (Morton, 1987).
Phoenix sylvestris Roxb., together with 13 other species,
forms the genus Phoenix. In a phylogenetic study combining
morphological, anatomical and genetic data, it appears close
to the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to Phoenix
theophrasti (Barrow, 1998). The phylogeny of the genus
itself remains to be elucidated. Phoenix sylvestris is widely
distributed in South Asia, from Pakistan to Myanmar, across
India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh (Barrow, 1998). This
palm produces edible fruits but it is generally called “wild
date palm” to distinguish it from the closely related Phoenix
dactylifera, which is known as “date palm” and is cultivated
agriculturally as the commercial source of edible dates. This
palm is a major source of sugar in India, and the sap is
81
Pawan Kumar Bharti: A New Record of Multi-Branching in Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris L.) in India
sometimes fermented into a drink called “toddy,” which
explains the names “sugar date palm” and “toddy palm.” In
present-day India, it is commonly found on low ground in the
sub-Himalayan tract, along riverbanks on the Deccan Plateau
(south-central India), in forests up to elevations of 1350 m in
Himachal Pradesh, and especially on lower hill slopes in
Haryana (northwestern India). It survives in disturbed areas,
such as wastelands or seasonally inundated areas (Newton et
al., 2013). Apart from its distribution in a “wild” state, P.
sylvestris is also cultivated in parts of South Asia, mostly in
its eastern and southeastern parts.
In English, it is called date-sugar palm, Indian wine palm,
sugar palm or wild date palm. Its local names in South Asia
are numerous, according to the different regions and
languages spoken: sendhi, kejur, khajur, khaji, salma, thalma,
thakil (Hindi-Urdu); kajar, kejur (Bengali); khejuri (Oriya,
Orissa, W. Bengal); khajur (Kolami, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra); khijur (Santali); sindi (Gondi); khajur, khaji
(Punjabi); seindi (Berar); inta kattinta (Kerala); sendi,
khajura, khajuri (Bambaiya, Mumbai, Mahashashtra);
boichand, sendri, shindi (Marathi, Maharashtra); kharak
(Gujarati, Gujarat); sandole-ka-nar (Dakhini, Deccan);
itchumpannay, periaitcham, itcham-nar, ichal, ithal pannay
(Tamil, Tamilnadu); ita, pedda-ita, itanara, ishan-chedi
(Telugu, Andhra Pradesh); ichal, kullu, ichalu mara
(Kannada, Karnataka); andadayichali, sunindu (Karnataka);
khurjjuri, kharjura, madhukshir (Sanskrit) (Parmar and
Kaushal, 1982).
There are complex relationships between P. sylvestris and
P. dactylifera (Newton et al., 2013). Morphologically, P.
sylvestris is close to the date palm, but several characters
allow their differentiation. Phoenix sylvestris is a strictly
solitary palm, also distinguished by its dense spherical crown
composed of relatively short leaves with small leaf bases
forming a characteristic dense and regular pattern of small
diamond-shaped leaf scars on the trunk of old specimens.
Leaf segments are grayish, not very rigid and sometimes
twisted. Basal acanthophylls are long, deeply channeled
adaxially, grouped by two and the transition with foliar
segments is progressive. Phoenix dactylifera is considerably
less homogeneous morphologically than P. sylvestris. Barrow
(1998) distinguished P. sylvestris by having channeled
acanthophylls, but this characteristic is also common in P.
dactylifera. In both species, leaf segments are clustered and
disposed on various planes. The fruits of P. sylvestris are
smaller than those of the date palm (Barrow, 1998). Because
of this morphological proximity, P. sylvestris has long been
considered as the wild progenitor of the cultivated date palm.
However, a genetic study challenged this hypothesis and with
the discovery of truly wild date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
populations, it is now completely rejected. Nevertheless, the
two species are inter-fertile, and their relationship remains to
be investigated (Newton et al., 2013).
2.1. Date Palm Trunk
The date palm trunk, also called stem or stipe is vertical,
cylindrical and columnar of the same girth all the way up.
The girth does not increase once the canopy of fronds has
fully developed. It is brown in colour, lignified and without
any ramification. Its average circumference is about 1 to 1.10
m. The trunk is composed of tough, fibrous vascular bundles
cemented together in a matrix of cellular tissue, which is
much lignified near the outer part of the trunk. Being a
monocotyledon, date palm does not have a cambium layer.
The trunk is covered for several years with the bases of the
old dry fronds, making it rough, but with age these bases
weather and the trunk becomes smoother with visible
cicatrices of these bases. Vertical growth of date palm is
ensured by its terminal bud, called phyllophore, and its
height could reach more than 20 metres (www.pubhort.org).
Sometimes date palms show a branching phenomenon
which was studied by Zaid (1987) and found to be attributed
to several causes. Branching in date palm is a result of
dichotomy, axillary bud development, polyembryony or
attack by a disease. Branched date palms are fertile and can
produce as much fruit as a single headed palm. There is a
need of a further analysis of the vascular system of branched
date palm. This anatomical study is necessary to show the
continuity of growth from the single to the divided state of
the stem. It is necessary to study in vitro the regenerating
capacity of divided portions of the apical meristem and
axillary buds of these specimens in the hope of establishing a
rapid mass propagation technique for date palm
(www.pubhort.org). Branching abnormality in date palm
trees has been observed and recorded in two different
locations in Egypt. Frequently, this phenomenon occurs
naturally. Sometimes, farmers decapitate or wound the
terminal bud of the tree in order to extract a sweet drink
(coined as ‘Lagby’). Generally, the axillary buds around the
wounded area: of the apical region are dormant. Decapitation
or wounding this apical dome enhances and accelerates the
outgrowth of these buds to form new branches.
2.2. Branching in Date Palm
The causes of such abnormal growth like branching may
be due to different internal as well as external reasons. Zaid
(1987) and Fisher (1974) have cited some examples of the
true dichotomous branching in angiosperms especially in
Palmaceae. In survey and observations, Harhas and Al-Wakil
(1998) found a specimen of branched palm in Rosetta
(Rashid) region (Northwest Delta in Egypt). Zaid (1987)
found the same phenotype in one specimen after three years
of survey in Moroccan date plantations. Another system of
dichotomous branching was noticed in one specimen in Siwa
Oasis (FAO, 2002). The growth system of this tree differed
drastically from that in Rashid region. It is important to
suggest that these two cases of dichotomous branching were
produced from natural seeds germination. This may suggest
that both of them are genetic seggregants. Therefore,
different genetic factors may control such phenotypes, one
responsible for elongated branching and the other for
compact branching (FAO, 2002).
In addition to the internal causes of the stem branching in
date palm and or the genetic effect on abnormality of the
American Journal of Biology and Life Sciences 2015; 3(3): 80-84
branching, there are external effects may cause such
phenomenon. Zaid (1987) and Dijerbi (1983) reported that
the two minor diseases in date palm (Black Scorch and
Belaat diseases) were responsible for the destruction of the
terminal bud. Some attacked palms could recover or revert by
developing one or several lateral buds. Another interesting
cause of abnormal branching or outgrowth of new axillary
buds in date palm is the artificial decapitation or wounding
the apical dome by the farmers. In most cases, this procedure
leads to complete damage of the whole apical dome and
subsequently death of the tree and hence the survival chances
are very less in this process. It is not always that the
outgrowth of new branches is produced from activation of
dormant axillary bud but also there is a chance to initiate
adventitious buds (Goodwin, 1978).
The physiological events of releasing the new formed
axillary buds after apical decapitation in mature trees could
be explained on the basis of the production of cytokinin and
auxins & development of axillary buds (El-Nil and AlGhamdi, 1986).
82
Table 1. Geographical position of observed multi-branched Indian Date
Palm.
S.N.
1.
2.
3.
Particulars
Latitude
Longitude
Altitude
Details
29º 07' 54.38" N
78º 21' 51.91" E
748 Ft
3. Case Study
In Indian conditions, many joint date palm trees are
observed with a common complex root system, but the true
branching in date plant has still not been documented except
those reported in Phoenix dactilifera (L.) Roxb. by
Harikrishnan and Shrirammurthy (2005). But branching in
Phoenix sylvestris has so far not been documented in India.
This date plant has a nodule like bund on the upper portion of
stem (as seen in Fig. 1), which gives platform to seven
secondary stems (branches). The base of these seven
branches is a mysterious nodule and might have some good
events as well as evidences for further studies in this regard.
Author wants to register this record in some appropriate and
suitable periodicals as one of his small discoveries.
Geographical position of observed multi-branched Indian
Date Palm is given in Table 1. The specimen is situated on a
road side near Village Dhoondly Tabibpur, Bijnore (UP),
India. Height of this tree is about 24 feet and circumference
of 3.5 ft.
(Photos by: Dr. Pawan Kumar ‘Bharti’)
Fig. 1(A-B). First multi-branching event in Indian date palm (Phoenix
sylvestris L.).
83
Pawan Kumar Bharti: A New Record of Multi-Branching in Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris L.) in India
Fig. 2(A-B). Map showing the location of Date plant in India.
4. Conclusion
The observed multi-branched specimen of Indian date
plant (Phoenix sylvestris L.) presented in this study (given in
Fig. 1) is a first record of branching or even multi-branching
in Indian circumstances. Hence, it may be(i). A new variant or
(ii). Deformity in the individual part or
(iii). A degree of adaptation or
(iv). Starting of new evolution.
Further, investigations are needed to ascertain factors that
lead to branching in this phenotype.
Johnson. 2011. Date Palm Biotechnology. Springer, 741pp.
[3]
Dowson, V.H.W. 1982. Date Production and Protection. FAO
Plant Production and Protection. Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. Paper No. 35.
[4]
Munier, P. 1973. Le Palmeir-dattier, Paris: Maisonneuve et
Larose, 221pp.
[5]
Morton, J. 1987. Date. In: Fruits of warm climates. (Eds. Julia
F. Morton and Miami, FL.) Purdue University. Center for New
Crops and Plants Products, 5-11.
[6]
Barrow, S. 1998. A revision of Phoenix L. (Palmae:
Coryphoideae). Kew Bulletin 53: 513-575.
[7]
Parmar, C. and Kaushal, M.K. 1982. Phoenix sylvestris, In:
Wild Fruits of Sub-Himalayan region (eds. Parmar, C. and
Kaushal, M.K.) Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India, 58-61.
[8]
http://www.pubhort.org/datepalm/datepalm1/datepalm1_46.pd
f as accessed on 08 May 2014.
[9]
Zaid, A. 1987. Branching Phenomenon in Date Palm. Date
Palm Journal, 5 (1); 48-58.
Acknowledgement
Author wants to thank Prof. Dennis Johnson from
Washington State University & Prof. S. M. Jain from
Helsinki University, Finland to provide some informative
verification about the present status of Indian Date Palm. The
author is also grateful to Prof. H.Y. Mohan Ram and Dr. T.S.
Sian from Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, India for
useful discussion and his valuable guidance.
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